The corridor was steeped in silence. Often in moments when both parties find themselves speechless due to an unexpected encounter, it is the one at a disadvantage who breaks the silence first. Perhaps it was this dynamic that led to a brief stalemate, but eventually, the figure across the way murmured softly:

"What a coincidence to run into Elder Yu Xian here."

Yu Ci nodded, his gaze sweeping over the hood that obscured the face of the female cultivator, and then said, "Incense Slave, you're here too. Has your sect also come to seek fortune?"

The Incense Slave grunted in affirmation.

A doubt arose in Yu Ci's mind. He remembered that at the time, the Eastern Orthodox Sect, Rakshasa Sect, Pan Emperor's Three Swords, and himself had all followed the Heavy Weapon Sect. However, when the leader of the Heavy Weapon Sect began a massacre, the Eastern Orthodox Sect was virtually annihilated. He too had suffered collateral damage, while the Rakshasa Sect and Pan Emperor's Three Swords had managed to evade early. Yet, even if they had evaded, they wouldn't have ended up in such a divergent place, would they?

"Has the master of this place granted you anything?"

"Several thousand Sword Ghosts," Incense Slave sneered.

After all, they had once stood on the same battlefront. Sharing experiences wouldn't hurt. They quickly came to understand each other's circumstances. The Incense Slave didn't explain how she ended up in the Underground Cave, but she did mention that upon arriving here, their group of six had far worse luck than Yu Ci. They, like Di Tianluo and others, were driven to desperation by the endless Sword Ghosts.

Strangely, there was a half-set-up Rune Array in that place. In their haste, the Incense Slave's group utilized the Rune Array to keep the Sword Ghosts at bay. The situation took a dramatic turn, the Sword Ghosts retreated, and the group, especially the true manipulator of the Rune Array, the Incense Slave, became honored guests and were invited here.

Yu Ci understood but also found it strange: "So, you also understand the Talisman Technique."

For some reason, after saying this, Yu Ci felt as if the Incense Slave glanced at him. There was some unfathomable emotion within her hood, and the corridor fell silent again. Technically, Yu Ci owed his life to the Incense Slave, but neither of them seemed to care about that. On the contrary, bringing this factor into the conversation seemed to irritate someone, making it difficult to continue the dialogue.

At this moment, Tie Lan finally interjected, "Please follow me, esteemed guests. The Manifestation Hall is just ahead."

After about half a mile, Yu Ci finally emerged from the alternating pattern of tunnels and caves, and the space before him suddenly expanded.

Deep underground, a vast amount of earth had been hollowed out to accommodate a complex of buildings standing tall amidst huge cavities. A grey mist swirled beneath and rose into the air. Within this mist, the buildings stood independently, somewhat distanced from each other. They varied in size and grandeur, with some quaint courtyards interspersed among them. Their styles were not uniform, yet perhaps due to the pervasive mist and somber hues, the place felt somewhat oppressive. Despite the peculiar layout, it did not evoke a sense of spaciousness.

Then there was... Yu Ci looked up to see a speck of gold light overhead, quite conspicuous. However, the layers of grey mist obscured its outline. Even so, Yu Ci had a rough idea of his location.

That should be right under the massive concentration of Predestined Geng Metal Qi. Tie Lan had mentioned that the seven-member group from Half Mountain Island had bypassed it and should be here by now.

Tie Lan led them to the outermost building of the complex, which resembled a palace. Upon entering, they found it to be a spacious hall for receiving guests. From the entrance to the seat of honour at the far end, there were about fifty steps, with low tables and seats neatly arranged throughout, enough to accommodate hundreds. Yet, most were unoccupied, including the seat of honour—no one was in sight.

A quick glance around revealed only a handful of people in the hall. None were familiar faces, nor were the anticipated cultivators from Half Mountain Island present. However, judging by their appearances and demeanors, they were not ordinary individuals—there wasn't a single person below the Golden Elixir Stage. As Yu Ci and Incense Slave entered, most of them scrutinized them with curious or evaluative gazes.

One person left a deep impression on Yu Ci. He was handsome, seated at the Chief Position closest to the seat of honour, and was garbed in a dazzling Golden Robe adorned with various strange patterns, quite eye-catching.

Upon their entrance, this man didn't spare Yu Ci a glance, instead fixating on Incense Slave. His eyes shimmered with a mysterious light, as if capable of piercing through the shadow of her hood. After a while, he retracted his gaze, picked up a jade tablet from the table, and, minding his own business, got up and disappeared behind a screen, presumably the exit from the hall.

Incense Slave snorted softly. Yu Ci, finding it somewhat amusing and guessing that the two must know each other, asked, "Who is that?"

After a moment's hesitation, Incense Slave answered, "That's Xia Boyang, the Young Sect Master of Thousand Mountain Sect from the Jade Purification Alliance. He's also the close nephew of Lady Xia, the ruler of Flying Soul City."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Oh?"

Yu Ci had heard of Xia Boyang, a figure whom the elder disciples of the Sect's Mountain Gate held in high regard, and a person of interest in the Sword Garden Grand Gathering. The Thousand Mountain Sect, which originated from the Sorcerer's curse, was said to have the lineage of the Ancient Heavenly Shaman and revered the Sorcerer God. Their practices differed from the ordinary Cultivator, but their power was only middling. Only after their alliance through marriage with Flying Soul City did their strength gradually increase.

The lord of Flying Soul City, Youcan, had no heirs, and Xia Boyang was treated as a son in his home, hence he was highly valued. Holding the reins of both families, he was a dazzling talent, not to be underestimated.

However, at this moment, Yu Ci was more interested in another person of similar status, "How does he compare to Murong Qingyan?"

As he asked this, an image of the ever-changing, city-toppling beauty surfaced in his Heart of the Lake. The clarity of the image startled him. Incense Slave responded indifferently, "How could they be the same? Murong is a sworn sibling, while Xia Boyang is almost like an heir. However, Madam Xia seems to favor her goddaughter more."

Yu Ci uttered an "Oh," then suddenly asked, "Are you close with Murong Qingyan?"

"We've met a few times," Incense Slave replied dismissively, then fell silent.

At this moment, Tie Lan interjected, "Please, guests, choose a seat. The empty seats are marked with jade plaques. The ones without plaques have been chosen by earlier guests, so please do not move them. The banquet will begin in two hours; you may take your seats then."

"Banquet? What banquet?" Yu Ci was puzzled; Tie Lan hadn't mentioned this before.

"The reopening of the Sunken Sword Cave has attracted many prominent heroes. My master wishes to hold a banquet to welcome you all, hoping to establish some good karma."

It seemed that the commotion from the Sunken Sword Cave had indeed attracted quite a crowd, and the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave sure knew how to make a scene... Yu Ci then asked, "Where is your master?"

With a steady voice, Tie Lan declared, "My master is in seclusion and cannot be disturbed. He will meet with everyone after the banquet has begun."

Yu Ci and Incense Slave exchanged a glance, refraining from further comment. They walked to the central aisle of the hall, where hundreds of seats were arranged on either side. Yu Ci scanned the minimalistic setting—nothing more than low tables and cushions. As Tie Lan had mentioned, square jade tablets, about a foot in diameter and inscribed with characters, were placed on the tables.

"Let's sit here," he suggested.

Yu Ci did not sit down but casually picked up a jade tablet from a nearby table, effectively claiming a spot. He then examined the inscription on the tablet. Incense Slave hesitated for a moment before finally choosing a seat next to him.

Tie Lan added, "Guests may wait here for the banquet to begin, or they may rest in the quiet room in the back. You will be notified when the banquet starts."

Having deciphered the inscription on the jade tablet, Yu Ci smirked inwardly. However, he refrained from commenting further and casually asked, "What's your plan?"

Upon hearing this, Incense Slave clenched her teeth in frustration. She knew Yu Ci must have realized her identity was not as simple as a mere servant girl in Master Bi Chao's household. Yet he chose to address her in the tone reserved for slaves. What was he up to?

She remained silent, and Yu Ci paid her no mind. He simply nodded, asked Tie Lan where the quiet room was, and headed towards it, not looking back once.

***********

The Master of the Sunken Sword Cave's mysterious ways irked Yu Ci, but he had to admit that the quiet room assigned to him was rather pleasant.

The room was simply furnished with a golden cushion. However, upon sitting on it, Yu Ci discovered that the omnipresent Malicious Qi and Geng Metal Qi in the sword garden were filtered out, leaving only pure Ethereal Nimbus Energy swirling around him.

"This 'Carefree Seat' was specially prepared by the master. It can ward off Yin Qi and Geng Metal Qi. After a little refinement, it can also extract either of the two energies at will, making it extremely useful for cultivation in the sword garden. If you find it useful, feel free to take it with you when you leave," Tie Lan explained, having followed Yu Ci into the room.

"Oh, this is quite a treasure. Does everyone have one?" Yu Ci asked.

Upon hearing Tie Lan's affirmation, Yu Ci murmured something under his breath. Tie Lan didn't catch what he said and was about to ask when Yu Ci waved him off, indicating he wished to be left alone. Understanding, Tie Lan quietly withdrew.

Taking two steps into the tranquil room, Yu Ci finally settled into the worry-free seat. The rich spiritual energy invigorated him, and he took out a jade tablet. As he gazed at the inscription, a cold smile danced on his lips. He twirled it twice on his index finger before closing his eyes to enter meditation.

Two hours passed swiftly. Tie Lan stood outside the meditation room, his Crimson Ghost Eyes flickering, slightly troubled. The other cultivators had already left, but there was no movement from the master inside. Recalling the specific instructions from his own master, Tie Lan felt his usually calm emotions simmering like a pot of thick soup.

The murmurs of the idle cultivators in the hall seemed to penetrate the void and reach him. Perhaps they were dissatisfied. He remembered his master's instructions again:

"This is very important, very important..."

Just as Tie Lan was about to push the door open, the sealed Stone Gate silently swung open. Yu Ci emerged, rubbing his forehead. Seeing Tie Lan outside, he paused, then smiled:

"Has the banquet started?"

"Not yet." Tie Lan felt that since he learned these three words, he had never said "not yet" with such reluctance.

"That's good." Yu Ci walked forward with a beaming smile, apparently in a much better mood than before he entered the meditation room.

Under Tie Lan's hurried guidance, Yu Ci once again entered the "Manifestation Hall". As soon as he stepped in, he knew he was probably the last to arrive. About two tenths of the several hundred seats were occupied, with roughly a hundred people present. The rest of the jade tablets were still on the case, presumably unclaimed.

His and Tie Lan's arrival was rather conspicuous, drawing the gaze of most people in the hall. Of the hundred cultivators, nearly forty percent were Golden Elixir practitioners. Even for the Mountain Gate of the Lichen Sect, such a gathering of Golden Elixir cultivators was rare.

The feeling of being the center of attention wasn't particularly pleasant, especially when there was little goodwill in the room.

Yu Ci slowly made his way to his seat. Beside him, Incense Slave seemed to want to speak as he approached, but a Dark Rift opened above the seat of honor in the center, and a figure stepped out to stand before the seat.

Everyone looked up, but all they saw were a pair of hazy eyes, as if all the gloomy clouds and mist in the sword garden were condensed in this person's eyes. The bottomless eyes seemed capable of drawing out everyone's Heart-Mind.

It wasn't until this voice sounded in their ears that everyone snapped out of their daze:

"Very good, you are all the talents of the era."

...